Living in Boston can be the absolute time of your life, if you’re prepared for it. I was used to wacky weather and city life before coming here, but I had no idea how extreme it is or how big Boston can feel sometimes! Since I wasn’t the most prepared to live here, I’ve come up with a list of the most important investments I have had to make to survive here. Here is what you need for your college life in Boston to be the best it can be!
1. Rain Coat: This is absolutely essential. I don’t know a single person at Boston College who does not own a rain coat in some form because it is just plain necessary. I swear it seems to monsoon here, sometimes for several days in a row, and if you’re not a fan of being sopping wet all day (with a really cute hairdo), then invest in one! At the beginning of the year, I bought a standard rain shell by The North Face and I can’t live without it. It’s big enough that I can put another coat underneath it, but it fits well too (and looks super cute). If you’re looking for something more trench-style, they’re everywhere this spring. Express, Gap, and the Limited all have them and they’re pretty inexpensive.
2. Rain Boots: Just as important as the coat (if not more so). Who likes walking around in soggy shoes all day? No one. The best part about rain boots is that they come in literally every color, style, pattern, and height imaginable, and you can find them anywhere! I love my plain black ones because I can wear them with anything, but the bright ones are a ton of fun too! Not into rain boots? Sperry has some great rubber rain shoes that are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. They’re great to wear with jeans or other pants that don’t fit inside boots, and they keep your feet just as dry.
3. Winter Coat: Boston is a cold, cold place in winter, and with the snow and the brutal winds, it feels much more bitter. Go for a winter coat that will keep you warm and looking fashionable. And I would definitely recommend one with a hood (for those super cold days). Whether you’re looking for long or short, there is a perfect coat for you that will hopefully keep you toasty warm as you trek across campus!
4. Snow Boots: I’m sure you’re all aware that we have gotten over 80 inches of snow this year. That’s more than 6 feet of snow!! If you don’t have snow boots, you’re in trouble. I love my insulated Bean Boots, but another alternative is getting insulation (or other wool inserts) for your rain boots that keep your feet warm and dry, because snow is cold, and having cold feet is a miserable feeling.
5. Umbrella: I love umbrellas. They’re bright, fun, compact, convenient, and keep you (and your stuff) dry. They come in just about the same varieties as rain boots and you can also get them anywhere. I recommend keeping two at school, just in case one of them gets blown inside out by the wind (yes, this happens a lot), and that way you’ll always be prepared!
6. Comfortable Shoes: Boston College’s campus is huge, and full of hills and stairs. This means that walking a lot is inevitable, and comfortable shoes are a must. Depending on the weather and the season, there are many possibilities for the perfect comfortable shoes including sneakers, Sperry boat shoes, Ugg boots, Birkenstocks, and others. Always walk in style, but do it comfortably!!
7. Hats, Gloves, and Scarves (or ski masks if you prefer…): Boston is cold. Very cold. I learned this year, while walking to and from work, that hats, gloves, and scarves can make a huge difference in how warm you are while walking outside. Even if they aren’t the most stylish or flattering accessories you own, they will make your life so much better. Of course, there are always cute options too, like matching sets that go with your coat, or ones that are more detailed. So combine comfort and warmth with style and invest in winter accessories!
8. Charlie Card: Getting around Boston is so incredibly easy compared to some other cities, and the MBTA is so helpful. If you’re like me and have to take the T frequently (or even if you don’t), get a Charlie Card. I’m pretty sure that they are free (mine was) and you’ll save $0.30 every time you take the T with it. That adds up!!
Have any other ideas about important items to invest in? I’d love to hear from you!!
Photo Sources:
http://margeauxklein.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hunter-Rain-Boots1.jpg
http://www.zappos.com/images/z/1/0/5/1055045-p-DETAILED.jpg
http://content.backcountry.com/images/items/large/TNF/TNF2852/LOGRD.jpg
http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/878/350__1_shoes_iaec1178275.jpg
http://image.dhgate.com/upload/201010/26/ff80808128a651150128a6ad64380a35/productimg1288257039829.200×200.jpg
http://cdni.llbean.com/is/image/wim/175064_1914_41?wid=330&hei=295
http://www.raindropsto.com/product_images/Fulton_Birdcage.jpg http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/100/f/AAAAAoJHzg4AAAAAAQD6hA.jpg?v=1210595688000
http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/163351/333034/0/1077802493/Hat_scarf_gloves.jpg http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/07/28/1248834809_4195/539w.jpg